In the United Arab Emirates, the start of 2026 also ushers in a new era of eco-friendly packaging: starting January 1, the UAE will enforce a nationwide ban on plastic beverage cups, lids, cutlery, food containers, and straws, as part of its escalating campaign against single-use plastics.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that plant-based polylactic acid products will remain exempt from the ban, positioning the bioplastic as a sustainable and viable alternative.
“It’s best to stop using single use products as much as possible and consider reuseable alternatives,” François de Bie, CCO of PLA producer Emirates Biotech, said in a press statement. “But in those cases where reuseable alternatives are not available it is important to recognize that PLA, being a plant-based material, falls outside the scope of the prohibited materials. PLA, like paper, wood and recycled plastics is exempted.”